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How to attach a fibreglass statue to concrete paver?

I''ve got a 150cm high fibreglass statues that are in an all-weather-conditions in a public space that is played on, bumped into, and experiences all sorts of other rough activity. They are painted with acrylic paint, which cracks when these things tumble over and is a PITA to fix. I need to glue it down to concrete pavers (600x600, also painted), or figure out some other way of attaching it so that it can handle being knocked about. It needs to be movable from time to time, so I can't just pour a concrete plinth and be done with it (moving the paver with it is ok). Liquid Nails (etc) goes brittle after a couple of months out in the weather as it is. Two part glues tend to bond on the paint not the fibreglass and it just peels the paint off (and they fall over). Can't use a flexible glue of any sort. I figure I'll have to do some kind of drill-hole in under the feet, bond in some rods or dynabolts or do tekscrews like cleats in such a way that the statue can still stand evenly on it's feet, then - well, that's where I'm out of ideas. Anyone got anything?

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Comments

MitchellMc

You’re on the right track @frumbert. Given the conditions and activity, a mechanical fixing is likely necessary. One key point: if you leave paint on either the paver or the base of the statue, any adhesive bond will only be as strong as the paint, which will likely fail. If you can remove the paint from contact points, a flexible polyurethane like Sikaflex 11FC has a good chance of holding the statue. It’s strong but still has a bit of flex, so it won’t become brittle like standard construction adhesives.

For mechanical fixing, you could fibreglass a threaded rod into the bottom of the statue, then pass it through holes in the paver and secure with nuts underneath. Alternatively, you could drill into the paver and use an epoxy like Ramset Chemset to anchor threaded rods, then slip the statue over them. A combination — threaded rod inserts in the statue plus Sikaflex bonding to the paver — could give both stability and some shock absorption while still allowing the statue to be removed if needed.

If you could add a few pictures of the statue and the base of it, that could assist our members, such as @Dave-1, @Noyade and @Nailbag, in offering solutions.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Dave-1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/55903#Comment_55903

Good morning @frumbert

🙂 Ahh things that get bumped about. I have had to secure a bunch of things over the years "Shaking my head" A mechanical attachment as @MitchellMc has suggested is the way I am heading in my thoughts. Removing the paint first, plus glue and a mechancal attachment via bolts/rods/straps even to the 600mm by 600mm paver. Being 1500mm high with a 600mm square base would allow a fair amount of force to be applied to it by people pushing/climbing on it. The statue has to be able to be shifted so a heavier base is out (was thinking a concrete plinth) But a wider base maybe made up purposefully to replace the paver or pavers. Something around 900mm square with the mechanical attachment incorporated into it?

Any chance of a photo of the area, plus the statue/s in question? We may be able to come up with some more viewable attaching systems.

Dave

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/90214#Comment_90214

Anyone got anything?"

Photos would be great @frumbert.

I'm was thinking of little hinged trap-doors in the fibre-glass - though which we can then drill into the concrete paver.

But it all depends on the statue shape and thickness.

Nailbag

Hi @frumbert

I can't actually come up with a solution thats acceptable. @MitchellMc suggestion of Sika will bond but won't with stand the riggers of the statues being tackled. Anything more solidly fixed will result in the statues simply breaking off being only made off fibreglass. replacing them with metal versions would provide a long term solution and being mechanically fixed.

Nailbag

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